Slap on the Wrist for Montana Judge Who Gave 30 Day Sentence for Rape of a Child

The Montana Supreme Court publicly reprimanded district judge G. Todd Baugh on Tuesday for his lenient sentence of an admitted child rapist. The Court said that Baugh, who in 2007 sentenced a teacher to 30 days jail time for raping his 14-year-old student, "eroded public confidence in the judiciary,” NPR reported.

In his ruling, Baugh said the victim looked older than her 14 years and was “as much in control of the situation" as her rapist, CNN reported.

In June, Baugh sentenced a different man to 10 years in prison for shooting out 100 car windows with a BB gun, the Daily News reported.

The Supreme Court’s censure consisted of an approximately 300 word statement delivered by Chief Justice Mike McGrath and a suspension for Baugh, who will be free to dole out his unusual brand of justice after a mere 30 days off the bench.

On April 30, 2014, the same court ruled Baugh’s sentence vacated and sent the case back for resentencing. In that ruling, the Court noted that Montana law requires “a term of not less than 4 years” for rape “If the victim is less than 16 years old and the offender is 3 or more years older than the victim.”

Baugh had no comment for reporters after the censure. He plans to retire when his term expires in December, according to NPR.